The Feng Shui Tips That Could Sell Your Home
It's easier than you think to give your home a feng shui edge on the market.
Making your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers is key to a speedy and successful sale. So, drawing up a to-do list of repairs and updates is often the very next step homeowners take after deciding to put their property on the market. But did you know it's easy for these improvements to reflect the principles of the ancient Chinese art of feng shui? Put simply, feng shui followers believe the way their homes are presented can repel or attract good or bad energy and influence their levels of wealth, health and happiness.
Jack Qi, a senior sales consultant at Barry Plant Mt Waverley and a feng shui enthusiast, says a home arranged according to feng shui principles will typically radiate peacefulness, security and comfort. And potential buyers will immediately pick up on these vibes.
Here, Mr Qi shares how vendors can draw on some feng shui principles that could help them sell their home – and also maintain relationship harmony during the sometimes emotional selling period!
Create a Bright Welcome.
If you’re thinking of freshening up your front door before sale, you might like to err on the bold side.
"Paint your front door a bright colour, such as red or orange, as it may bring good luck," Mr Qi says.
And make sure your door is kept fresh and clean with no scratches.
"In feng shui, we call the front door your mouth. And you want yourself to look beautiful," Mr Qi says.
Get planting
If your house is on a busy road, it’s common sense to plant trees or shrubs in your front garden to block the view. But it can also be a good idea from a feng shui perspective.
"Main roads can have lots of traffic, which is associated with unstable chi, or energy," Mr Qi explains. "And shrubs and trees can block any negative energy coming into your property."
Avoid planting a shrub or tree directly opposite your front door, though – as this can block the flow of positive energy coming into the home. And don’t plant anything that will grow too tall.
"From a practical point of view, you don’t want the roots to go into your pipes, but you also don’t want the trees to cast too much shade over the home, which can also attract negative energy," Mr Qi says.
When it comes to the backyard, consider planting apple trees, which represent a sense of safety, and bamboo, which is associated with "blessings of good fortune and good luck".
Install a fountain
If your home is on a main road or at a major T-intersection, consider installing a fountain in the front garden to help disperse any negative energy flowing in from the road.
"But if you live in a quiet street, the fountain is not necessary because the chi (energy flow) is stable," Mr Qi explains.
The tinkle of water will also set a serene atmosphere bound to impress house hunters.
Put shoes away
Leaving the family’s shoes by the front door or just inside the entry is not a good look when people are inspecting your home.
And according to feng shui principles, shoes left in these positions can also attract bad luck.
"Hide your shoes inside a cupboard in the entry," Mr Qi suggests. "It's better not to see the shoes."
If you have a mirror hanging in your entry directly opposite the door, you might like to think about moving it. "It will bounce the luck and the wealth back outside the door," Mr Qi explains.
Think about shapes
In the living room, opt for square and round shapes in furniture, which, according to feng shui followers, are considered "perfect shapes".
"Avoid triangular-shaped pieces, as they imply that something is missing," Mr Qi says.
When it comes to painting walls, avoid using black paint (associated with death) and red paint (which can look like blood). Stick to light, soothing colours.
And consider hanging pictures in pairs, not on their own.
"This will promote harmony between the couple who live there and also the other family members," Mr Qi says.
With armchairs and sofas, consider positioning them in front of solid walls, not windows. "This will promote a sense of security and support," Mr Qi explains.
Orientate your bed wisely
In the bedroom, think carefully about how you place your bed.
"The head of your bed should have a solid wall behind it," Mr Qi says. "Some people think when you sleep, your soul can wander around. And if you have a window behind your head, your soul can wander off your property and you can have a bad sleep."
Also consider removing any big mirrors directly behind or in front of the bed.
Position appliances with care
If you're renovating your kitchen before you sell, try to ensure your stove is not directly opposite your fridge or taps.
The stove is associated with fire, and the fridge and taps are associated with water, and the two elements don’t mix well.
"The couple living in the house could argue or get upset easily," Mr Qi says.
Behind your kitchen stove, aim to have a solid wall, which is believed to attract good health and support for the home cook, and try to avoid your stove facing the front door or toilet.
Also, declutter your benchtops as it's believed this will allow good energy to flow.
Fix broken items
Another way to attract good energy is to ditch or repair anything that is broken and do a complete tidy-up, Mr Qi says.
"Broken things attract negative energy. We want to see the property clean and decluttered. We want everything organised," he says.
You can also attract good energy by regularly opening doors and windows for fresh air and adding some indoor greenery, but ensure it is real - not fake - and has leaves with soft shapes.
"Avoid plants with sharp needle-like leaves, which can promote arguments, and also for safety reasons – you don’t want kids to hurt themselves," Mr Qi says.